About Coppell Community Experiences

Why We're Here

The mission of Coppell Community Experiences is to maintain responsible stewardship of natural and allocated resources to promote quality recreational and educational opportunities that enhance the overall health of individuals and the community. Though the City is only 14 square miles, our team takes pride creating unique experiences and a special look and feel in our parks and facilities. We maintain a small town feel in a large metro area, providing connectivity to nearby communities, while building close-knit relationships through nature and recreation.

The department manages and maintains 545 acres of park land, nature preserves, cemetery, and all city grounds. Facilities include The CORE, Wagon Wheel Tennis Center, the Coppell Senior and Community Center at Grapevine Springs, the Biodiversity Education Center, Cozby LIbrary & Community Commons, Rolling Oaks Memorial Center and the Coppell Arts Center. We work closely with citizens to bring their dreams to life. Community partnerships have resulted in three community gardens, a dog park, a healthy living initiative, and public art in the park.

Our vision to create a community connected through people, parks and programs aligns with the National Recreation and Park Association's (NRPA) philosophy of creating equitable, healthy and sustainable communities.

People • Social Equity

We believe communities are built on people, and that everyone should have equal access to programs and spaces that make our community great. We offer free programs throughout the year covering topics ranging from environmental education to healthy living and fitness, literacy, and water safety. We also present numerous special events each year that are free to the public.

Parks • Conservation

Protecting open spaces, teaching conservation to current and future generations, and connecting people to nature is our goal. Through diligent conservation practices, Coppell Community Experiences has maintained a "Tree City USA" designation for over 20 years. The department also recycles all landscape debris. Since 2015, over 600,000 pounds of material has been diverted from landfills. Environmental education aims to create an eco-conscious citizenry, and focuses on native and drought-tolerant plants, insects, and water conservation.

Programs • Health & Wellness

We provide opportunities for citizens to live healthy, active lifestyles, both outdoors and indoors! Coppell's trail system has increased by 25% since 2015, and it continues to grow and connect the community to the rest of the DFW region. The trail system is made up of hike and bike trails, a decomposed granite soft running trail, nature trails, and opportunities for cyclists to safely share roadways. Fitness classes and athletic opportunities are offered at all facilities. Additionally, the department partners with Living Well in Coppell to offer a variety of fitness screenings and opportunities to increase awareness and participation in health and wellness activities.

Coppell Community Experiences Is CAPRA Accredited

CAPRA LogoCoppell Community Experiences continues to be among the ranks of elite agencies and departments across the country by earning accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and NRPA. The department first received this distinguished accomplishment in 2010, and was re-accredited in 2015 and in 2020.

CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies, and is a measure of an agency's overall quality of operation, management and service to the community. This mark of distinction indicates that an agency has met rigorous standards related to the management and administration of:

  • Facilities
  • Lands
  • Programs
  • Resources
  • Safety
  • Services

Coppell is one of only 22 cities in the state of Texas to receive this award!

As part of the accreditation process, the department demonstrated compliance with 154 recognized standards and documented all policies and procedures. Often the process helps identify efficiencies and heightens areas of accountability, all of which translate into higher quality service and operation to benefit the community.

Sustainability Efforts

We aim to reduce our environmental impact through responsible stewardship of natural and allocated resources. 54.2 acres at Wagon Wheel Park and Rolling Oaks Memorial Center are well-water irrigated, resulting in a water savings of 27,885,969 gallons, and approximately $88,000 annually. Solar panels at the Biodiversity Education Center have produced 81,925kWh and offset 36% of the facility's energy use since installation in 2015. All newly constructed medians incorporate native and adaptive vegetation and hardscapes to alleviate the need for continual watering.

Constantly looking to the future to incorporate resource management and sustainability into infrastructure, as part of the 2017 renovation of Andrew Brown Park, a bioswale drainage system was installed into parking lot medians to provide a natural filtration and management of storm water. Grasses, rocks and other vegetation collect and filter runoff to improve quality before it is used to water the park landscape or enter neighboring creeks.